Heaven

by Rebecca Julia Lauren

  I went weak with relief. “Lucy’s here?”

  “Yes.” Jase’s hand brushed my uninjured cheek, sending shivers down my spine. “Cori, I’m not sleeping with anyone else. I haven’t even looked at another woman since you and I made love.”

  I made a sound of disgust. “You expect me to believe you haven’t had sex with anyone in almost a month?”

  “It’s true.”

  I searched his face for the truth and saw it reflected in his eyes. “Why?”

  “I’ve been faithful to you because I love you, and there’s no one else I want.” Something dark flashed in his eyes. “It’s my fault that I let you go. It kills me to think of you with another man, but I love you, and I won’t hold it against you.”

  “You really mean that,” I said, amazed that he truly did. I wanted to tell him that I’d been faithful to him from the beginning, but some part of me that didn’t want to get hurt again urged me to remain silent.

  “I mean it. Cori, I meant every word I said to you last night. I love you, and I want to marry you. You’re not ready to believe me now, and I accept that. I’ll wait and prove to you that I’m not going anywhere, and I will do anything to show you that you can trust me again. All I ask is a chance to let me show you how happy I can make you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I love you.”

  I shook my head, my heart aching with emotion. “No. Why the sudden change in feeling?”

  His eyes snapped to mine. “It’s not sudden. I’ve been in love with you for a long time. I just didn’t know it.”

  Feeling like I was about to cry, I whispered, “What do you want from me?”

  His fingers brushed my cheek. “I want to see you smile.”

  My heart swelled. “That’s all?” I felt my lips curl upward.

  “I want to be there in the middle of the night when you’ve had a bad dream, and need someone to talk to. I want to hear you laugh and see you hold our baby in your arms.”

  “If you don’t stop, I’m going to cry. You can stop now. You’ve won. We can try again.”

  His eyes flickered with emotion. “The only thing I want to win is your heart.”

  “You’ve had that all along.”

  “It’s different now. I see the doubt in your eyes, but I’ll do my best to replace it with faith.”

  I nodded, trying not to cry. “Okay, Jase. What do we do next?”

  “We take it slow, and you let me love you.” His eyes were locked on mine, and he didn’t look away, even when a tear slid down his cheek. He let me see his pain, completely open and vulnerable to me, and I couldn’t help but love him.

  We had a lot of work to do, but it was a start. Taking me into his arms, careful not to touch my injured cheek, he held me protectively against him and I savored the bittersweet moment.

  Chapter 24

  Jase

  “We can go wherever you want.”

  “I want to go here. It’s your favorite place.”

  She smiled up at me and I felt like I’d hung the moon. We walked into the restaurant for the first time holding hands, something Sarahi didn’t miss. Her gaze landed on our hands entwined together, and her eyes lit with pleasure.

  “Finally! The two of you have finally realized you belong together.” Sarahi frowned at Cori’s face. “You are hurt.”

  I felt her shrug. “It was an accident.”

  Sarahi’s gaze lifted to mine. Cori quickly defended me. “Jase didn’t hit me.”

  The older woman’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. “I would never think such a thing. No, no, he would never hurt you. He loves you too much.”

  We sat down at our favorite booth and began eating chips and salsa while sipping sweet tea.

  “How much did you pay her to say that?” Cori asked with a smile.

  I grinned. “She’s a wise woman.”

  “You really didn’t tell her to say that?” she asked cautiously.

  “I didn’t know we were coming here.” My eyes hungrily drank in the sight of her. Even with the bruised cheek she was beautiful. “You sure you feel up to eating out?”

  “Jase, I’m fine. The hospital only kept me overnight for observation. All my test results came back good. I have a very expensive bruise.” Her eyes flicked to mine. “I’m sorry you were arrested. I felt sick last night worrying about you in jail. Was it awful?”

  “You were worried about me?” I liked that she cared.

  “Of course.”

  “It wasn’t fun, but I was only there a couple of hours.” I’d have been there longer if she hadn’t talked Prescott out of pressing the charges against me. I wanted to ask her if she was going to see him again, but I didn’t.

  We spent some time catching up, talking about Olivia, family and just enjoying being with each other again. I wasn’t sure how to bring up Alex, but I knew that Cori would want to know about her sister.

  “I got a visit from a woman today.”

  Cori’s eyes flicked to mine. “Are you sure I’m going to want to hear this story?”

  I smiled at her teasing tone. “I’m not sure,” I answered carefully. “She threatened to kill me if I hurt you again.”

  “I’ll talk to Isabelle,” she said with a sigh.

  “Her name was Alex—“

  Cori’s eyes widened with recognition. “She came to see you too? Jeez, what is it with her. She’s kind of strange.”

  “You know who she is?” I asked carefully.

  “Yeah, she came by the hospital this morning. I really don’t get what she wanted, but she thought I was being abused by you.”

  “She mentioned that a few times, and threatened me if I ever hit you again.”

  Cori bristled. “Oh no, she did not. You set her straight right?”

  “Not exactly. I told her I’d never hit you, and that’s when she said that you told her I spanked you.”

  Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. “What?”

  “You didn’t tell her that?”

  An adorably guilty look crossed her face. “I did, but I was joking. She was so serious and uptight. I wanted to shock her, but I thought she understood that I was full of shit.

  “Well, you shocked her. That’s for sure. Her face was beet red when she told me this. She was scared to death of me.”

  “I’m sorry, Jase. I’d never have said those things to her if I’d known she’d go off on you like that.” Her cheeks flushed. “I cannot believe she actually came over to your house. How in the world could she know where you live?”

  I tensed, wondering how Cori would take the news of her sister. “She’s been following you.”

  “I don’t get it. Why does she care so much what happens between us?”

  “Cori, she cares about you.” I took a deep breath, my gaze on hers. “She wants to protect her sister.”

  The shock on her face was obvious. She hadn’t known that Alex McKinley Heaven was her sister.

  “I thought she told you. Alex says she’s your sister.”

  Her face scrunched up in confusion. “She didn’t say that to me. Why would she tell you and not me?”

  “I don’t think she meant to say it.” I took a deep breath. “She was emotional and determined to make me understand I couldn’t get away with hurting you.”

  Cori was watching me carefully. “Jase, you didn’t really hurt me.”

  “I know I did.” The emotional pain I put her through was inexcusable.

  Her hand reached across the table and covered mine. “I forgive you.”

  Cori’s smile made my chest tighten. God, I loved her so much. “I wish I could take back everything I did wrong the last few weeks.”

  I saw her smile fade, and she tensed. “What happened?”

  Admitting what a coward I was to Cori was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but she deserved answers. “When you told me you loved me, I panicked. I didn’t think I was ready to settle down and get married. I was afraid I couldn’t be the man you needed. It took l
osing you to make me realize that I already was that man.”

  “When I told you I loved you I didn’t expect anything from you in return—not a commitment, not for you to say it back, and certainly not a proposal.” She glanced away, swallowed hard and locked her eyes back to mine. “I said it because it was what I felt for you. It was too soon, and I think it still is. Jase, I don’t want you to ask me to marry you because you’re afraid of losing me.”

  I was about to reassure her that fear had nothing to do with why I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, but I could understand how she’d think that. Words weren’t enough. I’d have to prove myself to her.

  She squeezed my hand. “I’ll still be here even without the marriage proposal.”

  I wanted Cori. I wanted a commitment and a marriage. I wanted it all, but I stopped and thought of how much I’d hurt her. “Tell me what you want. I’ll do anything.”

  Her gaze was steady on mine, but I was unable to read the look in her eyes. “We can take it slow. No talk about commitment or marriage. Let’s just see what happens.”

  My heart ached. I wanted to give her everything, but it was going to take me time to earn back her trust. The last word stuck in my mind.

  “Is that okay?” she asked hesitantly, her eyes on mine.

  “If that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do.” I smiled, relieved that she was giving me another chance and determined not to blow it.

  Cora

  “You’re not going to believe what happened to me?”

  Amber looked up and set her phone down, and smiled. “I might. Your life is starting to mimic a soap opera.”

  I laughed because it was true.

  “Let me guess. Jase got down on his knees and begged your forgiveness before taking you into his bedroom and having wild, headboard-gripping sex.”

  “Wow. You should be the writer for that soap opera.”

  “Girl, if I was writing it you would be happily hitched like Ellie and Isabelle. You and Jase are stubborn characters that obviously have trouble with stage direction, because I know that all your friends have told you both to cut the shit and get back together.”

  “I’d expect this from Ellie or Isabelle since they’ve joined the marriage cult. You’re my cool, commitment-free single friend that’s supposed to tell me to take it slow and enjoy my freedom before settling down.”

  “You want me to lie to you?” she asked, surprised.

  “I wanted a less bias opinion of what I should do with Jase.”

  Amber’s slow, devilish smile meant trouble. “Most women will tell you to get him naked and in bed as fast as you can. That’s what you do with men like Jase Ford.”

  “You think most women want to sleep with harem-keeping players?”

  “No. They want a man that looks at them like they’re the only woman in the world and they would do anything to keep her.” Amber leaned forward. “That’s how Jase looks at you.”

  My heart ached with longing, and I wanted to believe what she said was true. “I wasn’t going to mention Jase.”

  Amber’s brow lifted. “No?”

  “I think I have a sister.” I told Amber about Alex, and she listened intently.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I could try to find her.” Alex had left a dozen numbers of people I could call for help, but she hadn’t left her own. I wondered why she’d waited all of these years to find me, and then didn’t even tell me we were sisters.

  “Do you think she’s telling the truth?”

  “I don’t know why she’d lie.” One thing was for certain, if Alex could find me then so could my dad. He just didn’t want to. “I’m not sure what I’ll do. Any advice?”

  “Let’s get outta here and have some fun.”

  I loved the sound of that. “You’re on.”

  Amber picked up her coffee and glanced over at me. “You don’t have plans with Jase, do you?”

  Shrugging as if this was no big deal, I replied, “No.” I tried not to be hurt by that, after all it was early Saturday morning and he might be sleeping in. He’d left my apartment around five this morning, and I wanted to beg him to stay but I didn’t. We hadn’t made love or spent the whole night together since before we left the island.

  Still, today of all days he could call me. Not once had Jase ever forgotten my birthday, but with all the drama going on I guess it slipped his mind. It had slipped Amber’s as well.

  We stopped my place and I changed into my bikini and cover up, and Amber insisted I leave my car and ride with her. Since the pool was walking distance, I had no clue why anyone needed to drive, but Amber was persistent.

  “I don’t want to mess up my makeup.”

  “Amber, it’s almost a hundred degrees, and we’re going to the pool not the mall. Kiss your makeup goodbye. It won’t last until noon.”

  “What’s with the attitude? Jeez, you’re in a bad mood today.”

  Something in her voice caught my attention. Amber wasn’t the greatest liar, and as we pulled alongside Hunter and Isabelle’s house I wondered what was going on?

  “I think I left my sunglasses here,” she explained. “Come on in. It won’t take long.”

  I followed her up to the house, wondering if a bunch of people were about to jump in front of me and yell surprise. When we went in and saw Hunter and Isabelle, I was the one surprised. There was no evidence of a party.

  “Hey, I did find your glasses,” Isabelle told Amber. “They’re on the table out back.”

  “Thanks.” Amber smiled.

  “Do ya’ll want to stay and visit or are you in a hurry. Hunter and I are babysitting. You can play with the baby.”

  Before I could say that I’d love to see the baby, Amber spoke for me. “I think Cora is ready for some pool time. She’s kind of in a bad mood.”

  “I’m not in a bad mood,” I insisted. “FYI, telling someone they’re in a bad mood, puts them in a bad mood.”

  Amber shared a knowing look with Isabelle. “See what I mean?”

  Isabelle nodded sympathetically. “She probably hasn’t had enough coffee. Her and Ellie are a lot alike in that way.”

  I rolled my eyes as Amber grabbed my arm and led me outside. “I’m thinking I might need something stronger than coffee if I keep listening to you two talk about me.”

  Stepping outside into a storm of confetti, I heard my name and a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’. I swallowed hard and looked around Isabelle and Hunter’s back yard, seeing all of my friends, including Lucy.

  I didn’t see Jase. Searching the crowd, I felt someone’s hand settle on my lower back, and whisper against my ear. “Happy Birthday, Cori.”

  Chills rippled down my spine, but he stepped back before I could respond, and everyone seemed to talk to me at once.

  “Don’t freak out,” Ellie told me, clearly distressed. “Carter was invited a long time ago. We didn’t think he would come.”

  “I’m sure it’s fine,” I assured her, but I was worried about what Jase would think of his presence.

  “Jase won’t do anything to ruin your birthday.”

  Ellie didn’t need to tell me that, because I already knew it. That probably explained why he was laying low and giving me space. Finding him in the crowd, I allowed myself to openly stare at him, looking my fill until I realized that would never happen. I would never get tired of staring at Jase.

  He was wearing black swim trunks, and gray T-shirt that molded to his sculpted muscles and made me long to lick the ridges of each one. Smiling at something Lucy said, Jase was sexy in a heart-stopping way that few men were.

  “I guess I don’t have to ask what you want for your birthday,” Ellie said with a sly smile.

  “That’s funny.”

  “Jase will think it’s hot.”

  “Maybe,” I said, thinking of his reluctance to make love to me. When I’d suggested we take it slow, I don’t think he quiet understood what I meant. I should probably clarify it for him. Slow on the
proposal, but slow, deep and thorough in bed.

  I started toward him, but Carter stepped in front of me. “Happy birthday, Cora. I hope it’s okay that I came. I want us to still be friends.”

  He put his arm around my shoulders in a friendly hug. “Thanks. I’d like that.”

  Carter’s smile seemed genuine. “You’re boyfriend is a good guy. I hope there’s no hard feelings.”

  “Yeah, he is. No worries.” I couldn’t help but notice that Carter’s gaze had settled on Lucy.

  “His sister seems nice too.” Carter’s tone seemed a little too casual.

  “That’s Lucy. I’ll have to introduce you,” I offered, hoping Jase wouldn’t be too mad at me for it.

  I finally made it to Jase. It seemed like it had taken forever for me to get to him. I came up from behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist, feeling like I’d finally come home.

  Chapter 25

  Jase

  I felt Cori’s hands on me and my heart tripped a beat.

  I’d been trying hard not to glare at Prescott while Cori talked to him, but I was jealous as hell. We hadn’t talked about it, but I assumed since he was at her party that she was still seeing the guy.

  Drinking acid would probably be less painful than what I was feeling. I was willing to give her time and take things slow, but there was no fucking way I would share her. Cori and I would have to get this straight soon. She’d have to choose. I’d have to find a way to accept her choice.

  “You wanna swim?”

  I didn’t, but I liked watching her pull that little dress over her head and loved how she looked in that yellow, polka-dotted bikini. It’s a good thing my swim trunks weren’t tight because I needed something to help me hide my body’s reaction to her.

  She tilted her head toward the large pool, where almost everyone but us was swimming. “Come on.” She tugged on my hand. “You know you want to cool off.”

  Cooling off was what I needed to do, but my body had other ideas. “Go on. I’m going to get something to drink. Do you want something?”